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Ignore the vitriol: doctors are key to safe childbirth

Midwives and obstetricians have to work closely togetherALAMY

Caroline Flint, a past president of the Royal College of Midwives, believes doctors are “hopeless at childbirth” and the solution is to “get rid of half the obstetricians” (News, last week). We were appalled to read such dangerous vitriol.

No woman should be made to feel a failure for requiring medical intervention during birth, which could be life-saving for mother and baby.

We, as doctors, recognise that such a fringe view is not held by the majority of midwives, who are experts and work closely with us. Instead of promoting outdated views, Flint should foster a spirit of co-operation.